Click play to listen to the broadcast.
Dugatto and DiCenso are facing off Tuesday, Sept. 12 in a Democratic primary for mayor.
The winner Tuesday will receive the Democratic line on the ballot during the Nov. 7 general election. The Derby Republicans have nominated retired police officer Rich Dziekan.
The story continues below after the sponsored content.
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This episode of “Navel Gazing: The Valley Indy Podcast” is sponsored by The Valley Gives Back, a new initiative from The Valley Community Foundation.
What will you be remembered for?
Adding a charity to your estate plan creates a legacy that tells future generations what causes mattered to you during your life.
Your action inspires others to follow your lead and make a difference.
And with a planned gift, you have the power to impact your community forever, without affecting your current lifestyle.
For more information, visit ValleyGivesBack.org.
The Valley Gives Back is an initiative of the Valley Community Foundation, connecting private philanthropy to the long-term public good of the Valley.
Plan now, give later, and impact tomorrow at ValleyGivesBack.org.
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Dugatto is a two-term incumbent. DiCenso is the president of the Derby Board of Aldermen. He has represented Derby’s Third Ward since 2011.
Click here for a previous Valley Indy story about where to vote Tuesday.
Here is a (rough) guide to the DiCenso-Dugatto debate.
Be sure to press play to listen to the many issues addressed. All of the topics discussed are NOT listed in this post, so press play.
0:00 to 2 minutes, 33 seconds — Hi, welcome to the show, support our sponsor!
2:44 to 3:10 — The Valley Indy explains the loose debate format.
3:11 to 4:59 — Opening statements from the candidates.
5 minutes to 33 minutes — Dugatto and DiCenso ask questions of each other. It’s quite the back and forth. Topics include the Derby redevelopment zone, the Route 34 project, the mayor’s hiring practices, and what caused the rift between Derby Democrats.
During this section of the podcast:
- Dugatto reviews her previously stated goals for the city, then asks DiCenso “what’s your plan.”
- DiCenso asks Dugatto what role she played in snagging several grants for Derby, insinuating she is taking credit for the work of others.
- Dugatto asks DiCenso what issues he wants to fix in Derby that she isn’t already addressing.
33 minutes to 1 hour, 26 minutes: The Valley Indy asks questions of the candidates.
Among the questions asked:
- Has there been any effort to train volunteers and elected officials regarding open government laws?
- Why was the reaction from Derby government to several crimes and a killing in the Anson Street area so muted?
- What role did Mayor Dugatto play in improving Derby schools, and why didn’t the school board chairman endorse her candidacy?
- What’s DiCenso’s relationship with prominent Valley developer Jerry Nocerino?
- Is DiCenso essentially stabbing a fellow Democrat in the back?
- What is the city doing to address an embarrassingly blighted property in the Caroline/Minerva street area?
- Is it a good idea to have members of the Board of Aldermen who work for the city double as union leaders representing their fellow public employees?
- What’s the future of the municipal parking garage on Thompson Place?
- At what point are Derby single-family residential property owners going to start paying $256 per year for the sewer improvements they approved a few years back?
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And “Navel Gazing” is heard every Monday at noon on WNHH-LP, 103.5 FM in New Haven.
